The next morning.
Yuki Seisui lay listlessly in their hidden base, looking unusually drained. Nearby, Uchiha Haru tilted her head, studying him.
"How come you feel different today?" she asked.
"Huh?" Yuki Seisui froze, scratching his head. "Different? How so?"
"Maybe I'm more energetic this morning?"
That wasn't it, Yuki Seisui was the one unusually alert. He felt more alive today than ever before.
"You changed your hair," Haru suddenly said, handing him a mirror. "Your locks have a faint reddish tint now, you never had that before."
He peered at his reflection, puzzled. "Are you sure?"
"I'm sure, you used to be pure black. Now in sunlight, I can see red."
Yuki Seisui's pulse quickened. He guessed why: the template of young Kushina had merged within him, awakening Uzumaki lineage itself. That surge in chakra, the vivid spirit this morning, it all made sense. He realized the "Uzumaki bloodline" was her real skill, underpinning the three weirdly named abilities: Girl Iron Fist, Minato-senpai, help me!, and Little Red Pepper Burst, all fueled by Uzumaki heritage.
Just then, Minato arrived. Yuki Seisui raised an eyebrow, he seemed in high spirits.
Minato spotted them, paused, then stuttered, "Yuki Seisui?"
Yuki Seisui nodded. "Why do you look at me like you've seen a ghost?"
Minato scratched the back of his head. "You just look… familiar."
"At least we've always known each other?" Yuki Seisui moved closer, casually putting an arm on his shoulder. Minato silently shifted away.
"You remind me a little of Kushina."
Yuki Seisui froze.
That hit a nerve, Haru's eyes sharpened instantly. She knew Minato liked Kushina and was not about to let this slide silently. She whisked between them, changing the subject: "Minato, you look different today too."
Yuki Seisui agreed, "Yeah, you seem in a good mood."
Breaking a rare smile, Minato explained blushingly: "Yesterday, spies kidnapped Kushina, then I found them and rescued her. When I was leaving… she kissed me."
He squirmed and grinned shyly.
Haru exhaled in relief: great, Kushina said yes, otherwise she'd have to watch not only girls but guys like Minato too.
"Congrats, Minato!" Haru said earnestly.
"Yeah, congrats," Yuki Seisui added.
"Finally got her to fall for you, huh?" Haru giggled.
Minato nodded. Then he pulled a book titled "The Guide to Romance" from his jacket, tossed it into the river.
Jiraiya suddenly summoned Gamabunta onto the water; the book landed on the toad lord's head. Jiraiya scooped it up and sneered:
"You young ones don't trust these things. If you need romantic advice, you should've asked me, I'm a master!"
Yuki Seisui hollered: "Jiraiya-sensei, the river is clogged!"
Jiraiya hopped off his giant toad, grumbling:
"And next time, don't call me 'old man', embarrassing!"
Gamabunta vanished in a puff of smoke. Jiraiya pocketed the guide, amused.
Yuki Seisui pointed out, "You clogged the river last time too!"
The elder ninja bristled, fists clenched. His two prodigies could never say a kind word.
Haru changed the subject again: "Why are you really here, Jiraiya-sensei?"
Minato chimed in: "Yeah, what's up?"
Jiraiya shot Yuki Seisui a look. "I came to say goodbye, the Chunin Exams are over. You don't need to take missions. I plan to leave for three years to find the so-called 'Child of Destiny.'"
Minato and Haru remembered that from before. But only Yuki Seisui knew, this "child of destiny" was actually Minato and Kushina's future offspring.
Jiraiya cleared his throat: "So… what were you three talking about earlier?"
Haru piped up: "Minato's now with Kushina."
Jiraiya boggled. You rescued her once, and suddenly you're together?
He glanced between Yuki Seisui and Minato, sinking into self-reflection. He'd been eternal bachelorhood, and now two students under ten already had girlfriends. It didn't seem fair.
He turned on his heel and departed without another word.
Watching him go, Minato tilted his head. "Uh… is Jiraiya-sensei upset?"
Yuki Seisui snorted: "He's just fragile emotionally, such an old man!"
Not far off, Jiraiya stuttered in his mind:
"You little brat, when we meet again, I'm gonna teach you a lesson!"
He hastened away until out of sight.
Minato then sighed, stepping back to Yuki Seisui and Haru: "Grandma Mito asked us to visit her today."
Yuki Seisui was puzzled. "Why?"
"I don't know…" Minato shrugged. "When I delivered Kushina yesterday, she told us to come today. Then I and Jiraiya reported the spy incident to the Hokage."
"You'll find out soon," Yuki Seisui smiled, leading them toward the Senju clan lands.
They arrived quickly. Kushina bounded out to greet them: "Grandma Mito said you'd come, I've been waiting so long!"
Haru and Yuki Seisui exchanged glances; Kushina's eyes sparkled like stars. Then she ushered them inside.
In the hall stood only Mito Uzumaki and Tsunade. Tsunade appraised all four, two young couples, Jiraiya's students, clearly smitten.
"Jiraiya sure knows how to teach students…" she muttered. "If Nadeshiko, or that other girl, had half Minato's nerve, I'd be an auntie now!"
Mito tapped Tsunade's head. "Quiet!"
Tsunade giggled but stayed dignified.
Mito turned to Minato: "Last night was late and you were rushing to report, thank you properly. I apologize."
Minato bowed: "Not a problem. I would help anyone in danger, not just Kushina."
Yuki Seisui smirked inwardly, best not explain.
Beside him, Haru frowned at Minato, of course she suspected him.
Mito saw it too, and sighed softly. "You remind me of Hashirama and Madara, one spouse, one rival. This connection… I call it kizuna."
She looked at Haru, noting how protective she was.
"This visit isn't just for thanks," Mito continued. "I want to ask if the three of you are willing to learn sealing techniques."
She watched Yuki Seisui's hair again, subtle red highlights now visible, and sensed his sudden chakra increase. He might have Uzumaki ancestry.
Mito thought: even if blood was diluted, some of his ancestors could have been Uzumaki. Those crimson strands signify enough lineage to feel it.
She originally planned to teach basic sealing arts, but now, since Yuki Seisui awakened latent Uzumaki blood, there's potential for higher techniques like Kongō Elis. These secret sealing jutsus are tied to Uzumaki bloodline like kekkei genkai: high chakra and vitality, sometimes healing or sensory abilities like Kagura Shingan.
Mito looked at Yuki Seisui, some regret flickered in her eyes, but Yuki Seisui gently declined: "I'm focusing on Sage techniques, sorry, I can't take on the sealing jutsu."
Haru hesitated: "Grandma Mito, I'm cultivating fire release and developing the Sharingan, maybe I can study seals later, when I have time?"
Mito nodded warmly: "Of course."
Though Tsunade and Yuki Seisui declined, Mito seemed pleased. She recognized their potential and respected their paths.
"Oh, by the way, what about Kinosuke?" Yuki Seisui asked.
"Training," Tsunade answered. "He'll return tonight."
Yuki Seisui looked disappointed, he'd hoped to spar with him later.
Meanwhile outside the hall, the Land of Whirlpools was under attack.
"Damned Mist Ninja! You strike now, among my clan?" Uzumaki Shinra, elder former clan head, glared with fury.
From the distant Water Shadow throne, the Third Mizukage laughed cruelly:
"Let your Uzumaki clan perish now!"
The clan was outmatched. Shinra had already arranged for kids to flee. His goal: delay invaders so more escape.
Mito, sensing from afar, felt her heart race. Something significant was slipping away, and she couldn't say what it was.
Inside, Yuki Seisui, Haru, and Minato had made an agreement: Minato would visit every day to study sealing arts; Haru and Yuki Seisui would come if they could or wanted.
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